Historic pink 'Charles Atherton House' building with white columns and arched doorways, connected to a modern gray high-rise dormitory labeled 'RISE,' with cars parked along the street and pedestrians walking at dusk.

Oahu, Hawaii

Atherton Rise

Student Housing
Built for Innovation

Project type

Environmental Graphic Design Wayfinding Signage Design

Project sector

Education Design Multifamily Design
Concrete wall engraved with 'RISE' topped by matching dimensional dark letters, overlooking a courtyard lawn with the historic pink Charles Atherton House and a modern high-rise dormitory in the background.

Project info

Client Hunt Development Group

Client University of Hawaii Foundation

Architect Design Partners Incorporated

Landscape PBR Hawaii & Associates, Inc.

Other Pacific Asia Design Group

Reinforcing exploration, growth, and community

RSM Design partnered with the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and the development team behind Atherton Rise to craft a comprehensive visual narrative that honors Hawai’i’s cultural roots while looking boldly toward the future. Residences for Innovative Student Entrepreneurs (RISE) is a new on-campus housing facility designed to support 374 students with dormitory-style living and an amenity-rich environment that fuels creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship.

Blending environmental graphics, wayfinding, and brand development, RSM Design developed a custom pattern story inspired by Mauka to Makai—the journey from mountain to sea—symbolizing personal and academic growth. At the center of the project, the historic Atherton House is carefully preserved and now surrounded by two newly constructed residential towers, forming a seamless integration of past and present. Each residential wing features its own themed identity, reinforcing a sense of purpose and belonging. The result is more than a place to live—it’s an inspiring environment where students are empowered to rise to the occasion.

Angled view of dimensional white letters reading 'Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center' mounted on a dark gray board-and-batten building facade.
Illuminated white 'RISE' letters mounted vertically on the corner of a dark gray board-and-batten building, with tree foliage in the foreground.
Diagram showing gray geometric mountain and wave motifs labeled 'Mauka Wing' and 'Makai Wing' above, combining below into a colored graphic system in green, teal, and blue mountain and wave shapes under the heading 'Combine Graphics in Common Areas.
Man wearing a black cap, sunglasses, and beard seen from behind, carrying a gray tote bag over his shoulder printed with 'RISE, Residences for Innovative Student Entrepreneurs.'
White lanyard with a repeating navy 'RISE' wordmark and a silver metal clip, coiled on a solid teal background.
Motion-blurred person walking through a stairwell painted with a bold green, teal, and navy geometric mural, beside a dark green metal handrail.
Building directory sign listing floors 1 through 6 (Bike & Surfboard Storage, Lobby, Amenity Deck, Student Residences, University of Hawaiʻi Foundation) mounted on a teal and green geometric-painted column, beside a stairwell with a matching wave-pattern mural and a lit red 'Exit' sign.
Concrete parking garage column with directional text reading 'Service & Loading' and 'Bikes & Surfboards,' each with a right-pointing arrow and a bicycle and surfboard icon.
Angular black diamond-shaped 'P' parking sign mounted on a gray building facade, beside a green living wall of climbing vines.
Dimensional black letters spelling 'Mānoa 96822' mounted diagonally on a white brick wall, casting long shadows in the sunlight.
Wooden reception desk carved with the 'RISE' logo and a mountain-and-wave pattern, topped by a black floor plan directory showing Levels 1 through 6 with color-coded building sections along Metcalf Street, Seaview Avenue, and University Avenue.

A carved mountain-and-wave pattern grounds the RISE reception desk, with an inset directory guiding residents through the building's six levels.

Wide view of the wooden reception desk carved with the 'RISE' logo and geometric mountain-and-wave pattern, topped by the black floor plan directory, in a lobby with terracotta chairs and a mail cubby wall in the background.

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